PM tells envoys government will focus on rehabilitation, reconciliation among the people

BANGKOK, May 29 (TNA) — In an attempt to enable foreign envoys to better understand the political unrest in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday told them that his government will focus on three key points to bring back normalcy to the kingdom.

Mr Abhisit briefed foreign envoys and representatives of international organisations on the military operations against anti-government protesters which ended on May 19, and immediate measures such as lifting the curfew in Bangkok and upcountry and assistance to be given to those affected by the riots, and rehabilitation and reconciliation programmes which he said must continue.

A high-end shopping mall, cinema, banks, and other public and private buildings were set on fire, looted and a violent riot occurred on May 19 after the anti-government ‘Red Shirt’ United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders announced their surrender when security forces stepped up their containment pressure at the protest site at Ratchaprasong.

Eleven soldiers and 74 civilians died while 411 police and soldiers were wounded, and 991 others were wounded or otherwise injured during the clashes between security forces and protesters since the start of the protest early March.

Envoys from 76 countries, representatives from 30 international agencies and 16 foreign chambers of commerce attended the briefing at Government House.

Every country wants to see trade and investment blossom, but stability is most significant, Mr Abhisit said. While the opposition party has asked the Office of the the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to probe the cause of the unrest, his government will set up an independent committee to investigate.

The premier added that he was ready to be scrutinised for his role in dealing with the protesters

Mr Abhisit said some participants asked him whether the arrest warrant issued for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would involve other people. He said he told them that it depends on their behaviour.

The terrorists were only small group of people infiltrating in the protesters, he said, adding that the government had treated the terrorists under international standards.

Mr Abhisit said his government plans to present draft laws on rallying in public places to the House of Representatives, on arms control and the role of police.

The reasons behind them were clearly shown during the bloody demonstration in which large numbers of military weapons were held by persons not entitled to hold them.

No losses of human would have occurred if the protesters were not armed, he said, adding that police should normally be able to contain a rally.

Criticisms were leveled against the police during the rally that they were not able to control the situation as protesters went wild by burning buildings and looting shops and banks during the security force operation.

Mr Abhisit said he had stressed to foreign envoys during the briefing that social divisions continue to persist and everybody has to help in solving the problem.

The parliamentary system is open and transparent and the system will become the key institution in solving the problem, he added.

Briefing the foreign media at Government House after meeting the diplomats, Mr Abhisit said he did not rule out early election, saying that he was ready to dissolve Parliament for fresh elections after the reconciliation plan progresses smoothly.

However, he admitted that the election may not be possible this year.

“Obviously it’s a lot more difficult now to have elections before the end of the year because the November date was set with the idea that the protesters were joining the plan right from the start,” he said.

Mr Abhisit had earlier offered to hold elections on November 14, but took the offer off the table when it was rejected by the protesters.

The premier added that he believed Mr Thaksin was a major problem who obstructed national reconciliation because he is attempting to be above the law. (TNA)